I've carried a 1911-type handgun for many years. I'm proficient with it, and I'm not as concerned with over-penetration as I am with the 9mm. Therefore, that's what I carry. Bullet type has a bearing on any handgun used for personal protection, and there is a plus and minus side to any caliber discussion. In my opinion, the deciding factor should be proficiency. The other alternatives, or trade-offs can be a factor, but a hit with a .22 beats miss with a .45 any day.

Just my 2 cents worth......

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NRA Life Member ... Marine Corps League Life Member
Freedom has a flavor the protected can never taste...
USMC 8652, 2531, RVN Jun '67, - May 69

Both, depending on circumstance. Generally, I prefer my lightweight Kimber Officer's in 45ACP. Once in a while, I need something a little thinner, so I carry a customized Star BM, and sometimes I carry my CZ75 Compact for the sheer joy of it. All of them have the same kinds of controls in the same relative positions and can be carried cocked and locked.

I've seen and heard about too many fialures to stop with 9mm. Granted, shot placement is everything, but is not something we can count on in combat. It's one thing to place 15 rounds in a 5" circle at 25 yards, but it is quite another to hit anything with someone shoot'n back, regardless of caliber. The .45acp is a combat proven round, and when dealing in micro-seconds and fractions of an inch, I'll take a bigger bullet.

I've seen and heard about too many fialures to stop with 9mm. Granted, shot placement is everything, but is not something we can count on in combat. It's one thing to place 15 rounds in a 5" circle at 25 yards, but it is quite another to hit anything with someone shoot'n back, regardless of caliber. The .45acp is a combat proven round, and when dealing in micro-seconds and fractions of an inch, I'll take a bigger bullet.

I'm with you - 45 is tops. But the 9mm Para is a combat proven round, too, and more people have been killed with it that 45ACP. It is probably the longest used military handgun cartridge in the world.

OMG! I can't believe that you asked this question!
Why not ask which is better Glock or 1911?
Just Kidding......
Either caliber is good. It is all in shot placement.
However, 9mm may expand but a .45 wont shrink.